Clausula

Clausula, (
Latin: “clause”, ) plural Clausulae, in music, a 13th-century polyphonic genre featuring two strictly measured parts: notable examples are the descant sections based on the Gregorian chantmelisma (several notes to a syllable), which in the organa of the Notre-Dame school alternated with sections featuring coloratura-like passages in relatively free rhythm above a slower-moving cantus firmus.

Clausulae early gained independent status as untexted “substitute” compositions. The first noted composer of such “substitute” clausulae was Pérotin, the successor of Léonin, whose name is forever associated with the two-part organa of the Parisian School. The motet, of only slightly later origin, was in essence a texted clausula. In the clausula the late-medieval, dance-influenced system of rhythmic modes found its first systematic application.

Learn More in these related articles:

monophonic, or unison, liturgical music of the Roman Catholic Church, used to accompany the text of the mass and the canonical hours, or divine office. Gregorian chant is named after St. Gregory I, during whose papacy (590–604) it was collected and codified. Charlemagne, king of the Franks...

...the cantus firmus (the “given” or preexisting plainsong melody). When metre was applied to the original plainsong as well as to the vox organalis, the resulting form was called a clausula. Then, when words were provided for the added part or parts, a clausula became a motet. At first the words given to the motet were a commentary in Latin on the text of the original plainsong...